Choosing The Right Free Blogging Tools for Your Site
By Donovan Baldwin
These days, there are many free blogging tools on the market, but loading up your important and informational blog with all of the free bells and whistles that you can find isn't necessarily a good idea. Sure, it may be tempting to add a visitor counter, a flashy background, an exciting new font, and a cluster of quirky animated gifs to your blog, but this kind of plan can easily backfire.
In the long run, the key to getting the most from free blog tools is being selective.
It is a great idea to learn about all of the kinds of free blogging tools that are available so that you can make an informed decision about what to add to your blog. At the same time, try to remember that just because you CAN have something doesn't mean that you NEED it!
Practice restraint and only choose the options that you think will really be useful to enhance your blog.
For example, if you can find out how many visitors are reading your blog by checking your traffic statistics, adding a visible visitor counter is likely to add unnecessary clutter to your page. If your blog is text-based, a flashy background can be more of a distraction than an benefit. If you don't know what I mean, take a look at some of the MySpace sites. Often, you cannot even read the text because if becomes submerged in the graphics!
If you are trying to distribute valuable or interesting information, your visitors are not likely to be interested in the graphics anyway, and there is no need to detract from your message with a flashy or distracting background.
Be realistic about assessing what kinds of blog accessories will help you realize your vision and improve your site. Remember that even a blog tool that doesn't cost you any cash may not be an asset in the long run.
If you want to learn more about blogging for cash, download a copy of Rob Benwell's ebook, Blogging to the Bank.
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